Shawnee Health Service COVID-19 Operations Update
Shawnee Health Service is committed to continuing operations during the COVID-19 pandemic as part of our commitment to our patients and clients who count on us for their safety and wellbeing. We aren’t going anywhere. We are committed to serving you and our community.
We hope that you and your family are staying safe and well. We hope that you are following the CDC recommended guidelines for protecting yourself from coronavirus and getting your coronavirus information from reliable sources, like the CDC. Maybe most importantly, we hope that you are taking care of your mental and emotional health.
We wanted to reach out to provide some information about what we are doing and what you can do to protect the health of our friends and neighbors in southern Illinois.
What is Shawnee Health Care doing?
Keeping Our Patients Safe – We are asking that our patients call before their appointments. Your Shawnee Health Care clinician will determine the best, safest way to care for you. That may be by phone, by video visit, or at a face-to-face appointment. All employees, patients, and visitors of Shawnee Health Care are required to wear a mask. Only one additional person is allowed to accompany a patient into a visit.
Video Visits – Shawnee Health Care is now offering Video Visits, through Zoom (a free app), for patient appointments. For step by step instructions, visit www.shawneehealth.com/video-visits. Call (618) 519-9200 to get started.
Face-to-Face Visits – Shawnee Health Care clinicians are still seeing patients at Shawnee Health Care in Carbondale, Carterville, and Murphysboro, and at Shawnee Health Care, OB/GYN. Shawnee Health Care in Marion, Marion Wellness, and Terrier Care remain closed at this time. If you are experiencing a dental emergency (severe pain, loose tooth, chipped or cracked tooth, swelling or knots in gums, etc.), please call (618) 519-9200. We are still doing our best to practice social distancing guidelines in our waiting rooms and with sick patients. You will be screened for symptoms of coronavirus upon arrival at the health center.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Shawnee Health Service is actively looking for resources and communicating with our distributors regarding availability and ordering of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as masks. We are currently accepting donations of homemade fabric masks, commercially manufactured masks, goggles which provide full eye protection (front and sides), and clear plastic face shields. Donations will be accepted at the Shawnee Health Service Administrative Office at 109 California Street, Carterville, IL 62918 between 8:30 am and 5:00 pm.
Protecting Our Employees
Shawnee Health Service is still practicing social distancing guidelines to the best of our ability. We are offering paid leave and work modifications for some employees, as well as federally mandated leave related to coronavirus. All Shawnee Health Service employees are required to wear masks while working.
What can you do to protect yourself?
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or if soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick, and put distance between yourself and other people if COVID-19 is spreading in your community.
What can you do to protect others?
- Stay home if you’re sick
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue when you cough or sneeze or use the inside of your elbow. Throw used tissues in the trash, and immediately clean your hands after.
- Wear a face mask if you are sick. If you are NOT sick, you do not need to wear a face mask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a face mask). Face masks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers.
- Clean AND disinfect frequently touched surfaces daily. This includes tables, doorknobs, light switches, countertops, handles, desks, phones, keyboards, toilets, faucets, and sinks.
What should you do if you feel sick?
If you are experiencing the symptoms of coronavirus, which are fever, cough, and shortness of breath, contact your health care provider. Your health care provider will discuss your symptoms, travel history, and any known exposure to a person who has tested positive for the virus.
Your health care provider may run a rapid flu test or respiratory viral panel. Those tests help rule out anything more common. Based upon that test, your health care provider will decide whether or not to request COVID-19 testing (per Jackson County Health Department).